It seems completely apropos that a theater in Newport should do a play
about guided home tours. And even more so, that it be presented in one of the
city’s historic landmarks.

The Firehouse Theater, at
Equality Park Place, is currently giving Peter Shaffer’s comical play, Lettice
& Lovage, a charming interpretation in it’s antiquated home. Director
Sharon Coleman expertly and cleanly leads her talented actors around the
theater’s limited stage space without physical incident, and adroitly uses it
close boundaries to full advantage.

The plot revolves around the inventive
effort put forth by Lettice Douffet, a tour guide with an artistic flair, who
haplessly finds herself leading patrons through an old edifice that can boast
only a rather inconsequential history. Miss Douffet is forced to significantly
stretch the truth and create intrigue where it here-to-fore never existed, in
order to fascinate not only her audience, but herself as well.

Following up on numerous letters
of objection, Charlotte Schoen, who works for the Preservation Trust, pays a
surreptitious visit to the tour. After witnessing Miss Douffet’s fabricated
history, she curtly chastises the guide and releases her from service. Through
artful protestation at her dismissal, Lettice manages to generate sympathy from
the staunch board member. Guilt eventually motivates Miss Shoen into finding her
former employee a new position, and the two forge a most unlikely friendship.

Barbara Finelli gives a highly
credible performance in the role of Lettice Douffet. She presents the
character’s unconventional approach to life with subtle humor, and wins the
audience over with stylish lunacy. From time to time, there are moments when
it is apparent that she is groping for stray words from her quite sizable
monologues. Nonetheless, she manages to keep herself in the moment, the action
flowing, and her slight hesitations become negligible.

Cindy Killavey is convincingly restrained as the
reticent board member, Charlotte Schoen. She handily reveals her covetous
longing to experience a life touched by eccentricity, by giving understated
envious glances.Killavey
delightfully evolves her character from haughty to dotty with carefully timed
transition.

Doing a one weekend stint in the role
of Schoen’s doting assistant Miss Framer, was Nancy Abbott. She completely
captured her role and claimed total possession of this somewhat vacant persona.
Abbott skillfully offered up a crafted character who serves tea with a broad
smile and an endearing expression.

As it turns out, this production is a
Killavey family affair. Jim Killavey, Cindy’s husband, returns to the stage
after an extended absence, as Mr. Bardoff, Douffet’s befuddled defense
attorney. Their son, Brian postures as an avid Elizabethan scholar, and as
another tour member, sports a most humorous, and relevant, tee shirt, focusing
on the plight of hedgehogs.

Rounding out the cast in minor roles are Neeley
Hepner and Nancy Pinto who follow Miss Douffet around the dubious Fustian House
as the ever-changing tourists. Susan Wisch will return to the role of Miss
Framer this weekend and will continue through its completion.

Lettice & Lovage plays
through June 14. If you are looking to spend an enjoyable evening in Newport,
you may wish to plan a delightful dinner next door at Rocco’s Steakhouse and
then take in the sumptuous offering at the Firehouse Theater to follow.